19 tips on how to Speed up and Optimize Windows XP – part 2

Despite Microsoft’s efforts, you still prefer your trusty old copy of Windows XP? And, despite your diligence, Windows is noticeably slower than when you first installed it? In the previous article we have seen some tips to speed up Windows XP. Here I give you some others!

1. Improve shutdown speed.

   To reduce the time that XP takes before automatically closing any running programs before shutdown:

   • press WinKey + R and type in “regedt32”  then press Enter.
   • find “HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktop”
   • double click “WaitToKillAppTimeout” and change the value to “1000”, then press Enter
   • double click “HungAppTimeout”, change the value to “1000”, then press Enter
   • finally find “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemCurrentControlSetControl”, double click “WaitToKillServiceTimeout” and change the value to “1000”, then press Enter.

2. Make menus load faster.

   You can load menus faster simply:

   • press WinKey + R
   • type “regedit” and press Enter.
   • find “HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktop“
   • double click “MenuShowDelay“
   • type 100 (not less).

3. Increase computer download speed.

   You can optimize your download using the software “tcp optimizer“.

   • run the program
   • go to File > Backup current settings and save it.
   • adjust your speed to the maximum offered by your internet provider
   • click on optimal settings then apply
   • reboot.

    

4. Speed up folder access by disabling Last Access Update.

   • press WinKey + R and type “regedt32”
   • click through the treeview until you arrive at “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemCurrentControlSetControlFileSystem”
   • right click in a blank area of the window on the right and select New > DWORD Value
   • call it “NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate”
   • double click the new value and change the value data to “1”, then press Enter.

5. Speed up folder browsing.

   The navigation is important to feel that your computer is fast.

   • Open My Computer
   • go to Tools menu
   • select Folder Options, than View tab.
   • uncheck “Automatically search for network folders and printers” and “Launch folders in a separate process“.
   • click Apply, then click OK.

6. Reduce Visual Effects.

   You can save system resources disabling the visual effect. May be Windows doesn’t look so nice, but it is much faster.

   • Go to Start > Control Panel > System. (to see the System Icon you have to switch to the “Classic Mode”)
   • Go to the Advanced tab in the Performance area
   • click Settings
   • Select the “Adjust for best performance” radio button, then Apply, and OK.

Note: If you still want to keep the look of Windows XP, you can leave the last 3 check boxes selected.

Go to the next article to see how to speed up Windows XP even more!